Reflections of a STAY-AT-HOME Catholic, sports fanatic, pro-life activist, intermittently-avid fitness buff, political junkie, MOM...and then some. None of which I stay home for.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Blogger Meetup!
It's been way too long since I've had a blogger meetup so last night's was awesome! But not just for that reason, but because I met an AWESOME lady!! I drove up to Philly with the boys to meet up with Carla from Bringing Henry Home. Oh my gosh, this woman is a saint-in-waiting, let me tell you! And her baby boy - I was almost in tears he was so precious!! After she recovered from losing her phone (the poor woman), we had an excellent evening and I hope we get to meet up again when they're back out here for Henry's surgery this spring!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Because I'm at a loss
I've been trying to think of something super inspirational and reflective to post today on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. But since a tiny human is taking up most of my energy and brain power lately, I'll settle for reposting my post from this day last year:
On this day 38 years ago, our nation decriminalized murder -- the murder of a particular class of human beings who was deemed less than human by unelected judges. And in these 38 years, we have lost 50 million of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters.
Born in 1978, I am an abortion survivor. I will march on Monday, while 1/3 of my generation intercedes from Heaven.
On this day of remembrance*, please join me in prayer:
For every sin against life,
For the sin of abortion,
For the daily killing of innocent babies,
For the bloodshed throughout our land,
For the silent screams of Your children,
For the killing of Your future disciples,
For the exploitation of women by abortion,
For the silence of Your people,
For the apathy of Your people,
For the co-operation of Your people in this tragedy,
On this day 38 years ago, our nation decriminalized murder -- the murder of a particular class of human beings who was deemed less than human by unelected judges. And in these 38 years, we have lost 50 million of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters.
Born in 1978, I am an abortion survivor. I will march on Monday, while 1/3 of my generation intercedes from Heaven.
On this day of remembrance*, please join me in prayer:
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father, Creator of the world, have mercy on us. RESPONSE: Have mercy on us!
God the Son, through whom all things were made,
God the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,
Lord Jesus, the Beginning and the End,
Lord Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,
Lord Jesus, Eternal Word of Life,
Lord Jesus, living in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
Lord Jesus, Lover of the poor and weak,
Lord Jesus, Defender of the helpless,
Lord Jesus, Bread of Life,
God the Son, through whom all things were made,
God the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,
Lord Jesus, the Beginning and the End,
Lord Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,
Lord Jesus, Eternal Word of Life,
Lord Jesus, living in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
Lord Jesus, Lover of the poor and weak,
Lord Jesus, Defender of the helpless,
Lord Jesus, Bread of Life,
For every sin against life,
For the sin of abortion,
For the daily killing of innocent babies,
For the bloodshed throughout our land,
For the silent screams of Your children,
For the killing of Your future disciples,
For the exploitation of women by abortion,
For the silence of Your people,
For the apathy of Your people,
For the co-operation of Your people in this tragedy,
For our pre-born brothers and sisters killed by abortion, RESPONSE: Lord, hear our prayer.
For our pre-born brothers and sisters threatened by abortion,
For our brothers and sisters who have survived abortion,
For mothers who have had abortions,
For mothers tempted to have abortions,
For mothers pressured to have abortions,
For mothers who have refused to have abortions,
For the fathers of aborted babies,
For the families of aborted babies,
For the families of those tempted to have abortions
For abortionists,
For all who assist and cooperate in abortions,
For doctors and nurses, that they may nurture life,
For government leaders, that they may defend life,
For the clergy, that they may speak up for life,
For the pro-life movement,
For those who speak, write, and work to end abortion,
For those who help provide alternatives to abortion…
For those who promote adoption,
For national and local pro-life groups,
For unity in the pro-life movement,
For our pre-born brothers and sisters threatened by abortion,
For our brothers and sisters who have survived abortion,
For mothers who have had abortions,
For mothers tempted to have abortions,
For mothers pressured to have abortions,
For mothers who have refused to have abortions,
For the fathers of aborted babies,
For the families of aborted babies,
For the families of those tempted to have abortions
For abortionists,
For all who assist and cooperate in abortions,
For doctors and nurses, that they may nurture life,
For government leaders, that they may defend life,
For the clergy, that they may speak up for life,
For the pro-life movement,
For those who speak, write, and work to end abortion,
For those who help provide alternatives to abortion…
For those who promote adoption,
For national and local pro-life groups,
For unity in the pro-life movement,
For courage and perseverance in pro-life work,
For those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their stand for life,
For those imprisoned for defending life,
For those who have been injured and mistreated for defending life,
For legal professionals,
For courts and judges,
For police officers,
For educators,
For media professionals,
For those who suffer ridicule and rejection for their stand for life,
For those imprisoned for defending life,
For those who have been injured and mistreated for defending life,
For legal professionals,
For courts and judges,
For police officers,
For educators,
For media professionals,
In thanksgiving for the babies saved from abortion,
In thanksgiving for the mothers saved and healed from abortion,
In thanksgiving for the former abortion providers who have become pro-life,
In thanksgiving for all those who take a stand against abortion,
In thanksgiving for the call to be part of the pro-life movement,
In thanksgiving for the mothers saved and healed from abortion,
In thanksgiving for the former abortion providers who have become pro-life,
In thanksgiving for all those who take a stand against abortion,
In thanksgiving for the call to be part of the pro-life movement,
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us,
O Lord, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us,
O Lord, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Let us pray,
Almighty and ever-living God, You have created all things through Your Son Jesus Christ. He trampled the power of death by His Paschal Mystery. May all who acknowledge You promote the sacredness of life and always serve You faithfully, through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Patron Saints for 2012
We're only halfway through January, right? Not too late to get in gear on choosing my annual patron saint! Right? Right? Beuler?
Hmmm...this one is going to be interesting. But I'm excited!
Using Jen's Saint Name Generator, I drew St. Damien of Molokai. I had heard the name in the past, but didn't know much about him. He's the patron of lepers and HIV/AIDS sufferers.
My saint for 2011 made so much sense as soon as she appeared on my computer screen, for many reasons! This one is a little less clear, but I'm excited to see what St. Damien has in store for me in 2012!
If you're friends with me on facebook, you probably saw that Jack's Halloween costume last year was Indiana Jones, with whom he's just a bit obsessed. So now whenever someone asks what he wants to be when he grows up, he responds, "An archaeologist!" Which I think is pretty cool because it's totally different from the universal "doctor" or "teacher" most kids give at this age.
So Jack was sitting with me while I was choosing my saint and he said he wanted to choose one. Cool idea, I thought. So we "spin the wheel" and land on...Pope Saint Damasus I. Patron saint of....archaeologists!! Ha! Cool kid! Talk about making sense!
Hmmm...this one is going to be interesting. But I'm excited!
Using Jen's Saint Name Generator, I drew St. Damien of Molokai. I had heard the name in the past, but didn't know much about him. He's the patron of lepers and HIV/AIDS sufferers.
My saint for 2011 made so much sense as soon as she appeared on my computer screen, for many reasons! This one is a little less clear, but I'm excited to see what St. Damien has in store for me in 2012!
If you're friends with me on facebook, you probably saw that Jack's Halloween costume last year was Indiana Jones, with whom he's just a bit obsessed. So now whenever someone asks what he wants to be when he grows up, he responds, "An archaeologist!" Which I think is pretty cool because it's totally different from the universal "doctor" or "teacher" most kids give at this age.
So Jack was sitting with me while I was choosing my saint and he said he wanted to choose one. Cool idea, I thought. So we "spin the wheel" and land on...Pope Saint Damasus I. Patron saint of....archaeologists!! Ha! Cool kid! Talk about making sense!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Christmas Photos
Better late than never! Here are some photos of Marshall's first Christmas and Jack's first as a big bro...
Sunday, January 1, 2012
No more pagans in this house!
Like I said in my last post, we ended 2011 on a pretty special note! We welcomed our precious boy into Christ's family on New Year's Eve!
We had lots of family and friends in town to celebrate with us and our priest did a beautiful job with the ceremony. Marshall only screamed during the Gospel...at least not the baptism! Our priest said, "He's just screaming out the demons!" Haha! :) We are so blessed!
We had lots of family and friends in town to celebrate with us and our priest did a beautiful job with the ceremony. Marshall only screamed during the Gospel...at least not the baptism! Our priest said, "He's just screaming out the demons!" Haha! :) We are so blessed!
 |
2011, You Will Be Missed
Today is kind of a let-down.
This time last year I had just about hit IF-rock-bottom. The holidays were over and my past 2 cycles had begun on both Thanksgiving Day AND Christmas Day. Literally...ON both days!! I had gone through more than 2 years of Creighton/NaPro with very few results and zero procedures. Then I found out a close relative was expecting and I lost it. I thought for sure I was being punished for something.
Then I gave up. On the vicious cycle, at least. Not on conceiving, thank God. I metaphorically threw my NaPro chart out the window and then called my old ob/gyn. I got an appointment with her on Jan. 4. I gave her my background on what I'd been doing for the past 2 years, and she immediately scheduled an HSG for 3 weeks later. During the HSG she found that my tubes were open, but that I had polyp on my uterus, so she scheduled surgery to remove it for 2 weeks later and said she could also "throw in" a laparoscopy. That happened on Feb. 15. Two days before I had made a pilgrimmage to St. Gianna. Coincidence?
In the midst of all this, I was introduced to Leila and thus, this wonderful world of Catholic IF bloggers! That cannot be overlooked when reflecting on 2011. You ladies literally saved my sanity. I don't know what I'd do without you!! Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and for all of your advice and support!
Moving on. Polyp successfully removed and no sign of endo, I went back for my post-op follow-up on March 3. I was given a clean bill of health and told to "see what happens" for the next 3-6 months. I hate the "wait and see" phases, but I was finally full of hope.
Well, turns out I didn't have to wait 3-6 months because before I even had a cycle, I got the BFP. In the meantime, you all remember the dramatic potential adoption situation that was going on at the same time.
Then began the roller coaster. I was praying feverishly to save the live of a baby I would either adopt or whose life would end in abortion, while reeling in the news that I was going to have one of my own! Then the adoption situation ended tragically and a few weeks later we found out we were having twins! Then of course the emotions of losing a twin, the stress of making sure the surviving baby kept surviving, and it's all history.
So it's been a year of ups and downs, but I can certainly conclude that overall it was a HUGE "up" because it all culminated in this:
Of course this precious bundle came into our lives just before Thanksgiving, making the holiday season exciting and special. Mike was on paternity leave for the last 6 weeks (I know...be jealous), then I just recently had a house full of family over Christmas. We ended 2011 on the best note possible - welcoming our new baby into Christ's family on New Year's Eve (baptism pics to come soon!). But family all left today and Mike goes back to work and Jack back to school on Tuesday. Reality will finally begin again and I'll be forced to go it alone. The exciting and special holiday season is just over, and 2011 has come to a close. So yeah...today was kind of a let-down.
The fact that all of these ups and downs happened to occur within one calendar year makes 2011 pretty special. I went from rock bottom on Jan. 1 of last year, to the best day of my life on Nov. 19 of last year. I experienced the worst and the best of my IF journey in a single year.
2011 came full circle. It'll be tough to top.
This time last year I had just about hit IF-rock-bottom. The holidays were over and my past 2 cycles had begun on both Thanksgiving Day AND Christmas Day. Literally...ON both days!! I had gone through more than 2 years of Creighton/NaPro with very few results and zero procedures. Then I found out a close relative was expecting and I lost it. I thought for sure I was being punished for something.
Then I gave up. On the vicious cycle, at least. Not on conceiving, thank God. I metaphorically threw my NaPro chart out the window and then called my old ob/gyn. I got an appointment with her on Jan. 4. I gave her my background on what I'd been doing for the past 2 years, and she immediately scheduled an HSG for 3 weeks later. During the HSG she found that my tubes were open, but that I had polyp on my uterus, so she scheduled surgery to remove it for 2 weeks later and said she could also "throw in" a laparoscopy. That happened on Feb. 15. Two days before I had made a pilgrimmage to St. Gianna. Coincidence?
In the midst of all this, I was introduced to Leila and thus, this wonderful world of Catholic IF bloggers! That cannot be overlooked when reflecting on 2011. You ladies literally saved my sanity. I don't know what I'd do without you!! Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and for all of your advice and support!
Moving on. Polyp successfully removed and no sign of endo, I went back for my post-op follow-up on March 3. I was given a clean bill of health and told to "see what happens" for the next 3-6 months. I hate the "wait and see" phases, but I was finally full of hope.
Well, turns out I didn't have to wait 3-6 months because before I even had a cycle, I got the BFP. In the meantime, you all remember the dramatic potential adoption situation that was going on at the same time.
Then began the roller coaster. I was praying feverishly to save the live of a baby I would either adopt or whose life would end in abortion, while reeling in the news that I was going to have one of my own! Then the adoption situation ended tragically and a few weeks later we found out we were having twins! Then of course the emotions of losing a twin, the stress of making sure the surviving baby kept surviving, and it's all history.
So it's been a year of ups and downs, but I can certainly conclude that overall it was a HUGE "up" because it all culminated in this:
Of course this precious bundle came into our lives just before Thanksgiving, making the holiday season exciting and special. Mike was on paternity leave for the last 6 weeks (I know...be jealous), then I just recently had a house full of family over Christmas. We ended 2011 on the best note possible - welcoming our new baby into Christ's family on New Year's Eve (baptism pics to come soon!). But family all left today and Mike goes back to work and Jack back to school on Tuesday. Reality will finally begin again and I'll be forced to go it alone. The exciting and special holiday season is just over, and 2011 has come to a close. So yeah...today was kind of a let-down.
The fact that all of these ups and downs happened to occur within one calendar year makes 2011 pretty special. I went from rock bottom on Jan. 1 of last year, to the best day of my life on Nov. 19 of last year. I experienced the worst and the best of my IF journey in a single year.
2011 came full circle. It'll be tough to top.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Please hang in there with me!
I could officially win a blogger award. The "Worst Blogger Ever" award, if anyone is giving them out. I've been completely out of the loop the last few months. I apologize especially for not having been reading and commenting on everyone's blogs! I really do love reading all of you wonderful ladies' blogs, I'm just not very good at forming coherent thoughts that I think are worthy of being read lately. That, and I'm operating on near-zero sleep. I really need to get Marshall's birth story down soon before I forget it all, but I'm making notes at least! I hope to have a real post up here soon. But please don't forget about me! I really do love you all! :)
In the meantime, enjoy a little Christmas cheer from Marshall! He's one month old today!! (And he's giant. He was 10 lbs, 11 oz at his appointment today!)
In the meantime, enjoy a little Christmas cheer from Marshall! He's one month old today!! (And he's giant. He was 10 lbs, 11 oz at his appointment today!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)